Table top or the like



Oct. 26,1937. w. o. LYTLE 2,096,903

I V I TABLE TOP OR THE LIKE Filed July 18, 1 956 zszzaxazaggg; S 2.

//V VENTOR WM O. LyrLL-T a ,1 arr g FTTO IVE Ya;

Patented Get. 26, 1937 UNETED STATES TABLE TOP OR THE LIKE William O. Lytle, New Kensington, Pa, assignor to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 18, 1936, Serial No. 91,420

2 Claims.

The invention relates to table tops and .the like of the type in which a plate of glass, marble, or other frangible material is used as the top member. The object of the invention is to provide a top of this kind of cheap serviceable construction having improved means for protecting the edges of the frangible plate from injury, such as is sometimes caused when the table is tipped over accidentally or its edge moved sharply into contact with the edge of another table or with the side wall of the room when such wall is of marble, glass or the like. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accon panying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the table top. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through one edge. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section through the cushioning band. And Figs. 4 and 5 are sections similar to that of Fig. 2 through modifications.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the reference numeral 6 indicates a plate of frangible material, such as glass, and I a plate of tough reinforcing material, such as fiber, press wood or the like. The two plates are securely cemented together throughout their areas by a cement which adheres permanently to both plates, such as one a of the well known asphalt or rubber cements indicated by the numeral 8. Extending around the periphery of the table is a continuous cushioning band 9 of spring sheet material. This band comprises a vertical flange l0 having its upper edge bent inward, as indicated at II, the diameter of the band being such that when the plates are forced into it from above the edge will yieldingly grip the edge of the plate 6.

The band is also provided with -a. horizontal flange l2 cut away at the corners, as indicated at It in Fig. 1, such flange being secured to the lower face of the plate I at its periphery by the layer of cement l4 similar to that used between the plates 6 and l. The lower edge of the flange Ill is connected to the inner edge of the horizontal flange by the recurved portion 55. The arrangement, as described, is inexpensive in its construction and assembly, as no fastening devices aside from the cement are required, such as screws, bolts and the like. It also provides a very effective cushioning band due to the spring of the material lying between the edge H and the inner edge of the horizontal flange l2, an additional resistance being afforded by the extension of the vertical flange iii a substantial distance be yond the horizontal flange and by the use of the recurved connecting portion [5.

' and the like.

The plate 7 of the top may be secured to the leg or base portion of the table by any suitable method, the holes IS in .the plate '5 for the re ception of screws being shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a modification which differs from that of Figs. 1 to 3 only in the use of an addi tional layer H of cardboard or the like between the plates 6 and I for sound deadening purposes which addition requires the two layers of cement l8 and [9.

In the construction of Fig. 5, the arrangement follows that of Figs. 1 to 3, except that a cement is employed between the vertical flange II] of the band and the edges of the plates 6 and I, thus giving some additional holding effect, such cement being plastic in character, so that it will not materially affect the resilience of the band. The caulking material also has the advantage r of sealing the joints against the entrance of food particles when the table is used in restaurants It is not essential, however, as the springiness of the vertical flange holds the lip tightly against the edge of the glass plates eliminating the requirement for caulking in most cases. With this construction it is also feasible to omit the layer of cement 8 between the glass and reinforcing plates.

What I claim is: V

1. A table top or the like, comprising a horizontal top member and an integral cushioning band of spring sheet metal comprising a vertical flange having its extreme upper edge bent inward in yielding engagement with the side edge of the top member and extending to a point below the lower side of said member, a horizontal flange lying beneath and secured to the'lowerside of said member at its periphery, and a recurved connecting portion between the lower edge of the vertical flange and the inner edge of the horizontal flange. 1

2. A table top or the like, comprising a horizontal top member and an integral cushioning band of spring sheet metal comprising a vertical flange having its extreme upper edge bent in-' ward in yielding engagement with the side edge side of said member at its periphery and a recurved connecting portion between the lower edge of the vertical flange and the inner edge of the horizontal flange in parallel with the lower por- 

